Flexible handle paintbrush



Jan. 5, 1954 v M. H. KAMMANN FLEXIBLE HANDLE PAINTBRUSH 2' Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1949 F/QZ - IN V EN TOR. MqRR/S H. lfAMMA/VN Q M W ,4 7- ToRNt. '-T ?J' Jan. 5, 1954 Filed Nov. 21, 1949 M. H. KAMMANN 2,664,582

FLEXIBLE HANDLE PAINTBRUSH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. Mamas/Z KAMMAA/N BWLQQMQWW ATTORNEY:

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 arise ATENT 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in brushes of the type provided with a handle, and more particularly to an improved operating handle for a paint brush.

Paint brushes, as now commonly constructed, are equipped with a rigid handle or, in other words, a handle which is not yieldable in itself when pressure is applied to the brush, as when passing the bristles back and forth over a surface to be coated.

I have discovered that a paint brush provided with a flexible or yieldable handle may be operated with relatively greater ease and comfort, and with less fatigue, than one equipped with a conventional stiff handle and, in addition, a relatively greater surface area may be covered per stroke of the brush, as the flexing of the handle when the bristles are applied against the surface being painted, will cause a relatively greater or increased flow of paint from the brush onto the surface being painted, whereby a given size area may be painted in less time than is now possible with a conventional brush, with a resultant saving in costly labor, and a marked increase in economy of operation.

It has also been discovered from actual experience that a paint brush provided with a flexible handle, particularly if the handle is flexible in a direction transversely to the plane of the bristles, may be continually operated for long periods without materially tiring the operators wrist, and with the assurance the paint will be applied to the surface in a uniform coating, primarily because the bristles will contact the surface being coated with nearly two-thirds their length, and whereby substantially all of the paint adhering to the bristles each time the brush i". dipped into the paint supply can, may be applied to the work.

It is also well known in the operation of conventional rigid handled brushes that paint has a tendency to accumulate in the bottom or at the base of the bristles, and sometimes particularly if the user of the brush is not experienced, such accumulated paint may suddenly drip from the l creased working angle of the bristles, the paint tending to accumulate in the bottom or base of the bristles is constantly being squeezed out onto the surface, resulting in an ample flow of paint onto the work and a cleaner brush.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a paint brush in which the body of the brush may be made of any suitable non-flexible material, and the handle of the brush being made flexible, whereby when pressure is applied to the bristles in the operation of the brush, the handle will yield and cause a relatively greater surface area of the brush to err-- gage the wall surface. This is important because it tends to minimize the accumulation of paint in the bottoms of the bristles, whereby the brush may be operated with greater ease and speed with less danger of paint dripping therefrom, even when the brush is handled by an in experienced person.

A further and more specific object is to provide a paint brush comprising a flexible handle, preferably made of rubber, and the base portion of the handle to which the bristles are secured being constructed of a rubber composition having relatively less flexibility than the grip portion of the handle, whereby the handle of the brush will flex relatively more than the portion of the handle secured to the body of the brush.

A further object is to provide a flexible handled paint brush having a reinforcing insert embedded in its handle whereby the handle may freely flex in a direction transversely to the plane of the bristles when the brush is in use.

A further object is to provide a rubber handled paint brush in which the handle portion of the brush is readily flexible, and a reinforcing element such as a coil spring being embedded in the handle to render the handle more resistant to flexing, but whereby the handle is readily flexible in all directions.

A further object is to provide a paint brush comprising a flexible handle having an enlarged socket formed at one end thereof adapted to receive the butt end of the bristles, and whereby the bristles, when set in rubber, may readily be vulcanized in place in said socket, and whereby the handle becomes in effect an integral part of the bristles.

Other objects of the invention reside in the unique orientation of the various parts of the brush, including the handle, bristles, and the connecting means between the handle and brush, whereby the surface of the handle structure of the brush will be smooth and devoid of cracks and crevices, resulting in the provision of a brush which readily lends itself for thorough cleaning after each period of use; and in the provision of a brush of this general type which is very simple and inexpensive in construction, whereby the brush may be economically manufactured in quantity production at low cost.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the.

various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is inot pop-fined;-

to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation, partially in section, showing a flexible handle having a flat reinforcing insert embodied therein, ,where by the handle is free to flex in one plane only, relative to the bristles;

Figure 2 edge-view of thebrush, partially broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction thereof;

Figure 3 is a schematic view sho ing the approximate working angle of the brush when. in use, and also illustrates the flexibility of the handle;

Figure a is enlarged the line l fii of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a slightly different construction wherein a coiled reinforcing element is embedded in the handle which permits free flexing thereof in all directions;

Figure 6 is a sectional view onthe 'line 63 of Figure 5, on an enlarged scale;

Figure '7 is a view showinga flexible handle which may be molded of a flexible material such as rubber, having a socket formed in it lower end adapted to receive the butt end of the usual bristles, and whereby the bristles maybe Vulcan ized into the handle;

Figure 8 is a view showing the brush of Figure 'l with the handle and bristles separated;

Figure 9 is a sectional viewof a brush handle made from a composition of rubber which may vary in flexibility the length thereof, whereby the base end of the handlemay have relatively less flexibility than the hand-engaging portion there.- of; and

Figure 16 is a view showing a completed brush equipped with a handle such .as illustrated in Figure 9.

The novel paint brush herein disclosed shown comprising the usual bristles 2,. which may be set in rubber, as indicated at 3, although there are numerous other methods employed for securing the bristles together for mounting in a supporting handle, and it is to be understood-that the present invention is equally applicable to such methods. To simplify explanation, the bristles, as herein disclosed, will be considered as being set in rubber.

In the form of brush shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vulcanized end 3 of the bristles is secured in the lower end of a suitable ferrule, i, usually of metal. When the bristles are thus secured in the lowerend of the ferrule i, the upper end of the ferrule provides a socket for receiving the base of the handle, as will be understood by erence to Figures 1 and 2 As hereinbefore stated, one of the impo t nt cross sectional view on features of the present invention resides in the flexibility of the brush handle, whereby when pressure is applied to the bristles in the usual operation of the brush, a much greater surface area of the bristles will contact the surface to be painted, as will be understood, by reference to Figure 3, than is possible with a brush equipped with the usual rigid handle. By thus making it possible to cause relatively greater portions of, the sides of the brush to directly contact the surface being painted, more paint is applied to the work per stroke of the brush, whereby the operation of painting a given siz job may be accomplished in'relatively less time.

Attempts have heretofore been made to provide -a-flexible handled paint brush, but to the best of my knowledge, none of these have proven entirely satisfactory. The novel brush herein disclosed is the result of considerable experimental and research work in an attempt to provide a brushof this general character in which all of the objectionable features new inherent in, brushes of this typehave been entirely eliminated, resulting in theprovision of a brush which may be operated with relativel greater ease and more expeditiously, than has heretofore been possible with brushes .of know-ndesign;

The design of thehanclle and the material from which made combine to provide a flexibility in the handle which materially reduces the working angle A of the brush, as shown in Figure 3, whereby the work-engaging surface B of the bristles is relatively increased so that more paint per stroke is applied to the work. At the same time-the workengaging surface B of the bristles is enlarged ina direction towards the ferrule, l, whereby there is littl .danger of excess paint accumulating in the bottom of the bristles adjacent to ,the ferrule, often experienced with ordinary brushes. By enlarging the work engaging surface ofqthe-bristles, a indicated at B in Figure 3, paint which may get into thebottom of the bristles will be drawn towards the work engagingsurface ofthe bristles, asthe bristles are moved over the surface being painted, thereby minimizing the danger of excess paint occasionally dr pping from the ferrule, when the brush is in use, particularly when wielded by an inexperienced individual.

In addition, the flexibility of the handle greatly facilitates the operation of the brush in that a much smoother sweeping action of the bristles over the surface being coated or painted is obtained, resulting in much greater coverage per. stroke of the brush, with a resultant reduction in the costof performing a given sized job.

The brush shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, has relatively greater flexibility in a direction transverse to the plane of its bristle than edgewise thereof, because of the embodiment in the brush handle of a suitable reinforcing element 5, preferably of flat spring metal.

The general configuration of the handle herein disclosed, generally designated by the numeral 6, may be similar to that of a conventional paint brush in that it has an enlarged base portion '5 adapted to be received in the ferrule i, and the reduced upper portion which constitutes the handle proper or the hand gripping portion of the handle.

The handle shown in Figures 1 to 4d, inclusive, is preferably molded of a suitable rubber composition having sufficient flexibility to permit the handle to readily fiex, as indicated in Figure 3, when the brush is in use. The ends of the reinforcing element 5 are shown T-shaped in configuration in order that the element 5 may be suitably anchored against longitudinal movement, when the handle is continually flexed for long periods under use.

Other means may, if desired, be provided for anchoring the reinforcing element 5 in the handle Without departing from the scope of the invention. A reinforcing element such as shown in Figures 1 and 2, permits free flexing of the handle in a direction transversely to the plane of the bristles, but resists flexing of the handle in a directionedgewise of the bristles. In some instances it may be desirable to omit the rein forcing element 5, whereby the handle may be freely flexible in all directions. The base 7 of the brush handle may be secured in fixed relation in the ferrule 4 by suitable means such as rivets 8, as is Well known in the art.

The brush illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 is shown having a coil spring embedded in the handle thereof which serves as a means for reinforcing the handle, but differs from the form shown in Figures 1 and 2, in that it permits free flexing of the handle in all directions, whereas the form shown in Figure 1 is limited to flexing in one direction only. This may be desirable in some instances, as the fact that the brush is flexible in a direction edgewise of the bristles may not interfere with the operation of the brush, as illustrated in Figure 3. The spring element 9 is molded into the rubber during the molding operation of the handle, and becomes fixed therein to provide the necessary reinforcing means to provide the necessary resistance to flexing of the handle, when pressure is applied thereto in the operation of the brush, as-shown in Figure 3.

In Figures 7 and 8 there is illustrated a brush handle 6a provided at its base with a socket ll adapted to receive the base end 3 of the bristles, as illustrated in Figure 7. The socket Ii may readily be formed during the molding operation of the handle and permits the base of the bristles to be set in said socket, whereby the bristles and handle become, in effect, an integral unit, as will be understood by reference to Figure 7. In other words, once the bristles are vulcanized in place in the socket ll of the handle, the bristles become permanently secured to the handle. The handle 6a is made flexible in a manner similar to the handle shown in Figures 1 and 5, whereby the same results may be obtained with the brush disclosed in Figures 7 and 8, as with the brush disclosed in Figures 1 and 5.

In Figures 9 and 10, there is disclosed a form of handle wherein the base portion l2 of the handle has less flexibility than the portion 61) of the handle. Experience has shown that such a brush may readily be molded from rubber, or other material, the composition of which may be so controlled that the base portion l2 of the handle may be substantially non-flexible, while the gripping portion Eb of the handle, when completed, will have the desired flexibility. The handle disclosed in Figures 9 and 10 will thus operate in substantially the same manner as the handles shown in Figures 1, 5 and 7.

As hereinbefore stated, an outstanding feature of the invention resides in the formation of the handle from a suitable flexible material which may readily be fabricated into a brush handle having considerable flexibility, and whereby the entire handle, including its base, may be made as an integral structure.

While I have herein described the brush as being made of a suitable rubber composition, it is to be understood that it may be constructed of other materials applicable for the purpose as, for example, certain plastic materials which are now available. From actual experience it has been found that a brush provided with a flexible handle, as herein disclosed, may be operated with much greater ease than is possible with a stiifhandled brush. This results because of the inherent flexing of the handle and bristles when the brush is in use, whereby the operating angle A of the brush is reduced to the extent that a much greater area of the bristles will directly contact the surface of the Work, as indicated by the reference character B in Figure 3. It has also been found that the flexibility of the handle reduces the operating angle of the bristles, thereby minimizing the accumulation of excessive paint at the bottom or base of the bristles. This is brought about largely because of the increased surface area of the sides of the bristles engaging the work, and whereby the Work-engaging portions of the bristles are extended towards the ferrule 4 to the extent that excess paint at the bottom of the bristles is drawn therefrom towards the surface being painted, as the brush is moved back and forth over the work.

It is also to be understood that the invention may be applied to various other forms of brushes, brooms, mops, and other devices Where applicable, without departing from the scope of the invention, and, in like manner, the bristles may be secured to the handle by any means found suitable for the purpose. I

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and

no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A paint brush comprising, a handle, an enlarged base portion integral with said handle, a bristle assembly including a plurality of bristles secured together and having their longitudinal axes parallel to one another, means for securing said bristle assembly to said enlarged portion, said handle comprising an elongated member having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said bristles, said handle being flexible throughout the entire length thereof and bendable along the entire length thereof to permit the longitudinal axis of said handle to assume an arcuate path extending transversely with respect to the axes of said bristles when pressure is applied to said handle in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis thereof.

2. A paint brush comprising, a handle, an enlarged base portion integral with said handle, a bristle assembly including a plurality of bristles secured together and having their longitudinal axes parallel toone another, means for securing said bristle assembly to said enlarged portion, said handle comprising an elongated member having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said bristles, said enlarged base portion being disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of said handle, the base of said enlarged base portion remote from said handle being inflexible, said handle being flexible throughout the entire length thereof and bendable along the entire length thereof to permit the longitudinal axis of said handle to assume an arcuate path extending transversely with respect to the axes of said bristles when pressure is applied to said handle ina-directionnormal to the longitudinal axis thereof. v

8.-A:paint brush comprising, a handle, an enlarged base portion integral with said handle, a bristle assembly including a plurality of bristles secured together and having their longitudinal axes parallel to one another, means for securing said bristle assembly to said enlarged portion, said handle comprising an elongated member having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said bristles and an elongated resilient reinforcing member embedded therein and extending along said longitudinal axis thereof, said handle and embedded reinforcing member being flexible throughout the entire length thereof and bendable along the entire length thereof to permit the longitudinal axis of said handle to assume an arcuate path extending transversely with respect to the axes of said bristles when pressure is applied to said handle in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis thereof.

MORRIS H. KAMMANN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 720,051 Moss et'al Feb. 10, 1993 758,764 Maol'eod May 3, 1994 759,490 Yates May 10, 1994 2,202,292 Howard May 28, 1940 2,254,365 Griifith et al Sept. 2, 1941 2,438,268 Bressler Mar. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 652,409 France c. Oct. 23, 1928 711,331 Germany Sept. 30, 1941 

